10 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Hot Tub Cover

Hot tub covers are essential for every hot tub owner to keep energy costs low, protect your tub from the elements, and maintain a safe environment. The typical life span of a hot tub cover is 3 to 4 years, but if you take proper care of your cover, you can extend that lifespan. Learn how by following these 10 tips.

1. Clean your hot tub cover (every 1-3 months). Rinse the hot tub cover with a garden hose and use a mild pH balanced detergent to wipe clean.
2. Inspect your hot tub cover for tears. The main indicator of needing to replace your cover is when the inside of your hot tub cover gets waterlogged. This occurs when moisture reaches the foam and causes it to not retain heat. A waterlogged cover uses more energy than a hot tub with no cover at all. Identifying tears early will give you an opportunity to make any repairs needed before your cover gets damaged.
3. Double check the underside of the hot tub cover. When your cover is on the hot tub for extended periods of time it can create the perfect environment for mold to grow. When you clean your cover, be sure to clean the bottom side as well. We recommended opening the cover halfway on a weekly basis for about 20 minutes to let air it out and cut down on mold growth between cleanings. This is an easy thing to do when you balance your chemicals.
4. Use a hot tub cover lifter to limit stress points. Taking your hot tub cover on and off your hot tub can cause heavy wear and tear, especially if you are moving it by yourself. Making the small investment in a cover lifter is a great way to limit stress points on your cover plus it’s extremely easy to use and will keep your space organized while using your hot tub.
5. Prevent misuse of your hot tub cover. Keeping pets and children off of your hot tub cover will not only provide a safe environment but it will also help ensure your cover is free from dents, scratches or tears.
6. If possible, place your hot tub in a protected area away from direct sunlight, rain, or snow. While our hot tub covers are built and tested to withstand tough weather elements, placing your hot tub under an overhang will help prevent exposing it to extreme conditions, prolonging the life of your cover.   
7. Protect your hot tub cover. There are many products out there that you can use as a protective sealant but beware of oil-based products which have an adverse effect with sun exposure.
8. Keep your hot tub cover dry. After it rains, dry off the cover rather than allowing the puddles to air dry over time.
9. Maintain appropriate hot tub water care. Too much chlorine can bleach the bottom of your cover and imbalanced water chemistry can cause unnecessary wear. It’s best to test and balance your water once per week.
10. Cover your hot tub cover. If you know you are going to travel or not use your hot tub for any length of time, it might be worth securing a tarp over your hot tub cover or investing in a cover protector to give it that added layer of protection.

 As hot tub owners, it’s a great feeling to know that everything is working properly. Learning how to extend the life of your hot tub cover will help put you at ease when it comes to saving energy, keeping your tub hot, and saving money.  We hope these tips help you get use out of your cover well beyond the expected lifespan.